Regarding Rose's "recruiting is not my job" comment, it's consistent with what he said in 2010 when the Bulls were after LeBron James. But in the aftermath of 2010, when Dwyane Wade helped convince two all-stars to come to Miami, you would think Rose might approach it differently.

We've got a full day and night of baseball here at Wrigley Field with a day-night doubleheader between the Cubs and the Nationals. It's the first regularly scheduled doubleheader at Wrigley since July 4, 1983 when the Cubs played the Montreal Expos.

Dallas Beeler makes his major-league debut in Game 1, with Jeff Samardzija pitching for the Cubs in the 6:15 p.m. game. Len and JD have the call this afternoon. Although Len did the FOX game last Saturday night, it will be Kenny Albert and F.P. Santangelo working it tonight.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said it's OK if Beeler has some butterflies.

A couple of trades dropped Wednesday that could affect what the Bulls do this summer.

Houston agreed to send ex-Bulls center Omer Asik to New Orleans for a 2015 first-round draft pick. The Pelicans may need to send some salary back to the Rockets, but they will have close to enough room under the salary cap if the cap rises to $63 million, as expected, in July.

Asik became expendable when Houston added Dwight Howard last season. With Asik off the payroll, the Rockets are within striking distance of opening enough cap room to make a run at Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Jeremy Lin also needs to go for that to happen.

With all the chatter about NBA free agency, here's one story that might be worth a read for Bulls fans. The New York Post spoke to Carmelo Anthony's college coach, Jim Boeheim, about the looming decision.

Boeheim acknowledges speaking to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau about Anthony when the two worked together on the Team USA coaching staff. But Boeheim also plays both sides, saying Chicago or New York would be great for Anthony.

Several outlets reported Sunday that New York forward Carmelo Anthony has officially informed the Knicks he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Anthony indicated this was his plan long ago, so the news is no surprise. And Anthony could still re-sign with the Knicks, either long term or for a single season.

But since pursuing Anthony is part of the Bulls' summer plan, opting out is good news. They can't chase Carmelo if he's not available.

Everyone wants to know whether the Bulls will end up with Anthony. They have a legitimate shot, but there are plenty of unknowns. Is Anthony willing to leave New York? How much of a salary trim would he accept to join the Bulls? Would the Knicks be open to doing a sign-and-trade if Anthony is set on leaving?

The Bulls are interested in trading for Orlando shooting guard Arron Afflalo, according to a report by yahoo.com.

This isn't surprising news or anything. The Bulls are clearly in the market for a scoring two guard and Afflalo figures to be available with Orlando in rebuilding mode.

The Magic was widely expected to draft Australian guard Dante Exum this week to pair in thre backcourt with second-year guad Victor Oladipo. But the foot injury to projected No. 1 pick Joel Embiid might scramble the early picks of the draft, with Exum now projected to go third to Philadelphia.

Just when everyone seemed confident Cleveland would select Kansas center Joel Embiid with the No. 1 pick of the June 26 NBA Draft, injury news arrived.

According to multiple reports, Embiid will need surgery to repair a stress fracture to the navilcular bone in his right foot. What this means for his professional career is anyone's guess, which is why it seems unlikely now Embiid will go No. 1.

Bill Walton, Yao Ming, Brook Lopez and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are some of the big men who were plagued by foot problems. The Cavaliers endured Ilgauskas playing just 29 games over three seasons early in his career, then he managed to stay healthy.

Here's some perspective on Tim Duncan's season and his ability to keep playing.

During the regular season, Duncan averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds. He turned 38 on April 25, so he played most of the season at 37.

One thought that immediately comes to mind is Duncan seems to have more left in the tank than former teammate David Robinson did late in his career. In fact, Robinson retired at 37 after averaging 8.5 points and 7.9 rebounds in 2002-03.

What about some of the other great big men late in their careers; guys who played in the post.

--Shaquille O'Neal averaged 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds at 37 and played one more year.

--Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds during the season he turned 38 and played one more year.